WooHoo! I’m so excited! My sweet romantic comedy, A Groom for Mama, is a finalist in the contemporary category of the Raven Award Contest!

Books are automatically entered in this contest when they receive a 4 or 5 star review from UnCaged Books. Then the public gets to vote for their favorite book. I made the first cut! YEA!

I want to thank everyone who voted for me in the semi-finals. And now it’s time for the final votes.

To celebrate the book making it into the finals, I thought I’d share the book blurb and a never-before-seen excerpt from A Groom for Mama.

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A Groom for Mama

By Catherine Castle

Beverly Walters is dying, and before she goes she has one wish—to find a groom for her daughter. To get the deed done, Mama enlists the dating service of Jack Somerset, Allison’s former boyfriend.

The last thing corporate-climbing Allison wants is a husband. Furious with Mama’s meddling, and a bit more interested in Jack than she wants to admit, Allison agrees to the scheme as long as Mama promises to search for a cure for her terminal illness.

A cross-country trip from Nevada to Ohio ensues, with a string of disastrous dates along the way, as the trio hunts for treatment and A Groom For Mama.

Excerpt:

As soon as they were out of the kitchen, Allison nudged off his grip. “Just because you can kiss Mama doesn’t mean you can be fresh with me.”

Her tone stung like a slap, and he stepped back. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to invade your space.”

“What do you want?”

“Any news on the medical front I should know?”

She sighed. “Dr. Kramer said he already got second opinions. And Mama doesn’t want to go see any doctors, because she thinks I can’t fulfill my promise to find a husband if we’re gallivanting across the country in search of a cure.”

“We can put that notion to rest. My database has connections to a nationwide search engine. I can find you a bridegroom anywhere in the USA.”

Grimacing, she said in a pinched voice, “Thanks a lot. I hoped we could skip the husband-hunting promise if I could get her out of town.”

“She’s not going to give up easily. I’ve already approached her about dropping the whole idea.”

Allison’s face brightened. “Really? How nice of you.”

A twinge of guilt pricked him. Nice had nothing to do with it. He just didn’t want to see her with anyone else.

“Anyway, it didn’t work. You’re stuck with finding a man.” As he reached for the front doorknob, she grabbed his hand.

“If I didn’t say it earlier, thanks for all you’ve done for Mama. Visiting her. Bringing her flowers. Offering to help with the medical bills.” She lowered her gaze to the floor. “After the way I treated you I’m surprised you’re willing to help me. You’ve gone above and beyond what most ex-boyfriends would do.”

He tipped Allison’s face until she gaze met his. “I love your mom and I’d do anything for her.”

“Including marry me off?”

“If Beverly wants.” He started to leave. Then he stopped. “Is it what you want?”

“No. But if dating these men will make her get a second or third or fourth opinion, it’s what I’ll do. Even if I have to get engaged to an oyster farmer from Shreveport, Louisiana.”

His mouth quirked into a grin. “I don’t think I have any of those in the database, but I can check if you want.”

“I’ll pass this time.”

“Might be a good idea considering the choices I just left with you.” The stunned expression on her face made him laugh. “They’re not all bad. Just remember, you’re the one who filled out the questionnaire, not me.”

There’s no registration required for voting and the site isn’t collecting emails, so it’s super easy to vote. One vote per category and your last chance to vote is Saturday, August 18.

Thanks, in advance, to anyone who votes for A Groom for Mama.

About Catherine Castle:

Multi-award-winning author Catherine Castle loves writing, reading, traveling, singing, theatre, and quilting. She’s a passionate gardener whose garden won a “Best Hillside Garden” award from the local gardening club. She writes sweet and inspirational romances. You can find her books The Nun and the Narc (a multi-award-winning inspirational romantic suspense), A Groom for Mama (a sweet romantic comedy), Bidding on the Bouquet (a contemporary inspirational romance, and Trying Out for Love boxed set on Amazon.

Today Wednesday Writers welcomes Theresa Lynn Hall to the blog. Theresa will be talking about her book Ransom in Rio and how it came about. She also has a cliffhanger excerpt, so be sure to read to the end. Welcome, Theresa!

Thanks, Catherine.

Ransom in Rio was so much fun to write that I hated to write “The End”. What started as a small idea rolling around in my head suddenly became Lexi’s story. My publisher, Pelican Book Group, put a request for submissions page on the website asking for novellas with international settings that include 3 items and a passport. The three items for Rio, Brazil were an emerald necklace, a formal event, and a family secret. As luck would have it, my husband had just returned on a business trip from Rio. He’d spent two weeks there completely immersed in the culture. He brought back a lot of pictures and many stories to tell. He also brought back coffee and chocolate—my favorites! I wish I had been able to accompany my husband on his trip, but one thing he did tell me was how scary the driving is! Apparently, I would fit very well in Brazil with my driving skills! He was also there on Easter Sunday and decided to rent a car to drive to visit Christ the Redeemer.

I had no idea how massive the statue really is. It’s an iconic symbol of Brazil that many tourists visit on Easter. I was so jealous but I loved that he was able to experience something so amazing. His pictures made me feel like I was able to be there with him.

With my husband’s help, a little internet research, and some brainstorming the story came to life. To my surprise, it won First Place in the 2017 International Digital Awards (IDA) Contest for the Oklahoma chapter of RWA! I hope you enjoy reading Ransom in Rio as much I enjoyed writing it.

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Ransom in Rio

By Theresa Lynn Hall

Private Investigator, Braden McCoy wants nothing more than to finish out the week doing a little fishing from his boat. The ex-special ops vet enjoys his peaceful life and loves his new career. He’s learned to put his past behind him and enjoy his blessings. Until a mourning redhead walks into his office and changes his plans.

Lexi Ramos always knew her family was dysfunctional. Until the sudden death of her brother, she never knew exactly how much. Consumed with questions surrounding his accident, she seeks the help of a private investigator. What starts out as a murder investigation in Cozumel, quickly crosses borders and escalates into a race against time to save them both from Brazilian kidnappers, who somehow know more about her family secrets than she does. Lexi soon realizes that life comes with a price.

Excerpt

Her worst nightmare had come to life.

Now, the fear of what she would do if it ever happened was over, but the loss of her brother came with a burden she hadn’t foreseen. It left her to deal with her family alone. To carry the legacy. To protect the empire. To convince everyone to believe the lies.

“He was always so careful,” she muttered to herself as she drove.

Snow had started falling as the last “Amen” was said at the cemetery. The heavy white powder made the pale yellow lines on the road fade in and out of sight. Lexi tugged her sweater tighter around her body with one hand and gripped the steering wheel with the other. The funeral had drained her of what little emotional strength she had left. It was crazy, but several times throughout the day she’d found herself picking up her phone to see if Jace had messaged her. He used to text or call every day. Silly stuff sometimes, like never walk the dog with no shoes on. Once he’d texted that he had the hiccups.

“I just can’t believe he’s gone.” Lexi glanced at her friend. She didn’t expect Kristy to say anything. Nothing she could say would make the pain go away.

Jace had been the perfect big brother, Lexi’s best friend. From an early age, they learned that sticking together in a dysfunctional family was their only hope. One thing Lexi knew for certain was that Jace wouldn’t leave her here alone. He would not have put himself in danger for a stupid fishing trip. His chance to break free of their crazy family was finally around the corner. He’d just bought his girlfriend an engagement ring. They had plans to move to New York as soon as the wedding was over. Now he was gone. None of it made any sense. Why was she the only person who could see that something was wrong with ruling the cause of death as accidental?

Lexi brushed at her red hair with a careless hand and caught a glimpse of her swollen, blue eyes in the rearview mirror. She hardly resembled her brother at all—a fact that had always bothered her, but she’d never questioned it the way Jace had. He had always asked where he’d gotten his blonde hair.

“Lexi, why don’t you stay with me tonight?”

The sound of Kristy’s voice startled her. “I’m sorry. I’m really out of it.” She smiled and wiped a stray tear from her cheek. “Thank you for everything. You’ve done more than enough for me over the past few days.”

“You know I’m always here.”

“I know.” She swallowed hard. “Kristy…”

“What’s wrong?”

“I can’t stop thinking…I just don’t think this was an accident. It couldn’t be. Jace didn’t even like to fish. He wouldn’t charter a boat to go fishing in Cozumel. He liked nice restaurants, museums, theaters. Not fishing. And then there’s the fact that he didn’t take Selena with him. He always had Selena with him. Why doesn’t anyone else seem to think this is odd?”

“I don’t know. Now that you bring it up, Jace wasn’t much of a risk-taker.”

“Exactly. The strangest thing is that Selena said he told her he would be back in an hour. He only left for one hour. Who charters a fishing boat for only an hour?”

“Did Selena tell you why he didn’t take her?”

“She didn’t say, and I didn’t want to ask her a lot of questions. Not yet.”

“No one is.” She pulled into Kristy’s driveway. It was a relief to be off the snowy roads.

No matter how she looked at this, her brother’s death could not have been an accident. Somehow, she would prove that he didn’t drown on a fishing trip. She would prove Jace was murdered.

***

Going back to work hadn’t been easy. Jace’s empty office was a constant reminder of her loss. Somehow, she’d made it through the first day and knew her brother would be proud of her. Now that she was home, a hot bubble bath and early bedtime sounded like a great ending to a long day.

She stopped at the mailboxes. It had been days since she’d checked her mail. Unlocking the box, she frowned when a manila envelope fell to the concrete. She groaned as she bent to pick it up. All the stress and lack of working out was beginning to take its toll. As her eyes scanned the writing on the front of the envelope, a chill raced down her spine, and her free hand flew to her mouth to stifle the guttural sound working its way out. She stared at her name scribbled in blue ink.

In Jace’s handwriting.

Her keys fell from her hands and jingled against the sidewalk. She fought to steady herself as she studied the postmark. It was dated this Thursday. A day after his funeral.

Lexi scrambled to pick up her keys and unlock the door. She stumbled inside and fell into the nearest chair. Her vision blurry with tears, she studied the handwriting. Touching her name, she traced the L.

“Oh, Jace…” she whispered.

She pulled open the envelope, reached in, and pulled out a flash drive. Was that it? No note? No explanation?

A flash drive? She ran to the bedroom, slid into the black leather office chair at her desk, and flipped open her laptop. She stared at the small piece of plastic as she waited for the computer to boot up. Her hand shook as she plugged it in.

Ten minutes later, she stood staring into the bathroom mirror gripped by nausea. She covered her face with a cold, wet towel. Her worst fears were coming true. And she needed help.

About the Author:

As a native Texan, Theresa loves to write suspenseful stories that happen in small Texas towns with old fashioned Southern values. She’s an elementary teacher and mom to two boys—the oldest being in law enforcement, which comes in handy when she’s researching. When she’s not teaching kids or writing, she loves to cook, read a good suspense, and binge-watch episodes of Dateline. She is a member of RWA (Romance Writers of America) and ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers). She actively promotes fellow Christian Fiction authors on her blog. She also loves to hear from readers who enjoy Christian Fiction and can be found at http://www.theresalynnhall.com, Facebook, and @theresalynnhall.

Today Wednesday Writers welcomes Jennifer Slattery back to the blog. Just in time for summer fun, Jennifer will be talking about the inspiration for her romance novel Dancing in the Rain. Just reading her post took me back to my own days of summer fun. Welcome, Jennifer.

Thanks, Catherine.

It’s one of those childhood rites of passage—campfires, sleeping on bunks lined five or six to a room, feeding every mosquitoes within a 100 mile radius. (It seems I have the sweetest blood around!)

I’ve only been to an actual summer camp once, and though I don’t remember much of it, my camp counselor has remained firmly planted in my memory. She seemed so grown, was absolutely beautiful, and had an amazing singing voice. Though I was younger than third grade (as we moved the summer before then), I still remember the song she sang each night: Somewhere Over the Rainbow.

Summer camp and the people we meet there have a way of sticking with us. Though my experience at a formal camp was short, I spent many summers camping out with my family. Back then, you could pretty much drive to wherever you wanted, hike a short distance, and pitch a tent.

My dad liked to forge his own trail, machete in hand as he hacked away at low-lying vines and branches. This always felt like such an adventure, and many times it was, like when we pitched our ten in between two slowly trickling streams only to wake up in a torrential storm with water surging on either side of us. If we didn’t vacate soon, we’d be surging with it!

Ah, the summertime memories, of which my co-author, Eileen Rife, has an abundance. While growing up, her parents served at a Christian camp, so many of her formidable years were filled with carols sung at dusk, horse rides, an abundance of sloppy Joes, and all those other special moments that make camp memorable.

In Dancing in the Rain, a romance set, largely, at a Christian camp, Eileen shares her experiences, through Loni and Michael, with all of you, adding a layer of community so many of us long for. A community that’s far from perfect but stands strong when life hits hard.

What about you? Did you go to summer camp? Any fun or especially memorable moments to share? If you didn’t go to summer camp, did you go tent or cabin camping as a kid? Where was your favorite camping destination? Share your experiences with us in the comments below.

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Dancing in the Rain

By Eileen Rife and Jennifer Slattery

On the verge of college graduation, Loni Parker seeks employment as a music teacher, but no one will hire her since she’s blind. Or so she thinks. To take her mind off her troubles, her roommate invites her to spring retreat at Camp Hope in the gorgeous North Carolina mountains.

Unbeknownst to Loni, Michael Ackerman, the director, is an ex-con responsible for the accident that caused her blindness. When Loni warms up to camp and wants to return as a summer counselor, Michael opposes the idea, which only makes Loni want to prove herself all the more. Though she doesn’t expect to fall for the guy. Still, her need for independence and dream of teaching win out, taking her far away from her beloved Camp Hope . . . and a certain director.

Camp director Michael Ackerman recognizes Lonie instantly and wants to avoid her at all costs. Yet, despite the guilt pushing him from her, a growing attraction draws him to the determined woman. She sees more with her heart than the average person does with his eyes. But her presence also dredges up a long-buried anger toward his alcoholic father that he’d just as soon keep hidden. When circumstances spin out of control, Michael is forced to face a past that may destroy his present.

About the Author:

Jennifer Slattery is a writer and international speaker who’s addressed women’s groups, church groups, Bible studies, and other writers across the nation. She’s the author of six contemporary novels maintains a devotional blog found at http://jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com/. She has a passion for helping women discover, embrace, and live out who they are in Christ. As the founder of Wholly Loved Ministries, (http://whollyloved.com) she and her team partner with churches to facilitate events designed to help women rest in their true worth and live with maximum impact. When not writing, reading, or editing, Jennifer loves going on mall dates with her adult daughter and coffee dates with her hilariously fun husband. Connect with her on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/JenSlatte) or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/slatteryjennifer/).

Today’s guest is Regina Rudd Merrick, who will be talking about her book Carolina Mercy.

Welcome, Regina!

As a musician, I have played for my fair share of weddings. Some have gone off without a hitch, and some have been fraught with disaster. Like the time I was supposed to play “Somewhere, My Love” for the parents to enter, and after playing it for twenty minutes learning that the father of the bride was LATE, and they wanted me to play that song until time for the Bridal Chorus – another ten minutes. Oy. I haven’t played that song since that night.

Those experiences, plus hours on Pinterest and binge-watching “Say Yes to the Dress,” make me look forward to the opportunity to plan my daughters’ weddings, but it hasn’t happened yet. The next best thing? Writing about it.

Carolina Mercy, book 2 in the “Southern Breeze Series,”is written from the perspective, for the most part, of Maid-of-Honor Lucy Dixon and Best Man Tom Livingston. They take on most of the wedding planning for their best friends, Sarah and Jared (introduced in book 1, Carolina Dream) in the aftermath of a catastrophe. Lucy is a ball of fire whose motto is “very organized people have time to be spontaneous,” and Tom is a neat-freak whose attention to detail has probably scared off more women than have enticed them.

Both Lucy and Tom learn a lot in the course of events that lead up to their friends’ wedding — about weddings, about their relationship with God, and about marriage. They find out that it’s not about having the perfect wedding, the perfect house, or the perfect situation, but about trusting God and being thankful for His mercy and grace.

Here’s an excerpt, from Tom’s point of view:

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Lucy coming down the aisle toward them was a sight to behold. Her dress swirled around her feet, and the sparkling shoes on her tiny feet peeked out with each step. She was as beautiful as the bride, in his opinion. After giving her a wink, he smiled as she blushed. It was like having a super power, to be able to make a woman blush like that.

Walking past the flower-laden pews, the three little girls strewed flower petals along the aisle. Yeah, somebody would have to clean that up, but he wouldn’t think about that, now. Jared’s nephew, Alex, named after Alex Crawford, had done a good job of ushering in the greats and grands.

As the girls got to the altar, finishing up their task and taking their places next to their mothers, Tom turned to smile at Lucy before Sarah came in.

What he saw scared him to death.

She was staring at him, her face looking like she’d seen a ghost. What was wrong? Had he forgotten his tie? He reached up to his hair. Had he messed it up after she’d fixed it?

Carolina Mercy

By Regina Rudd Merrick

She’s always gotten everything she’s wanted. He thinks he has to give up everything.

Her best friend’s wedding is foremost on Lucy Dixon’s radar. Her biggest concern is once again meeting Tom Livingston, who has ignored her since an idyllic date on the boardwalk of Myrtle Beach the previous summer.

At least, it is her biggest concern until tragedy strikes. Where is her loving, merciful God, now?

When Tom Livingston meets Lucy, the attraction is instant. Soon after, his mother is diagnosed with an untreatable illness and his personal life is pushed aside. His work with the sheriff’s department, his family – they are more important. He knows about the love of God, but circumstances make him feel as if God’s mercy is for everyone else, not him.

Can a wedding and a hurricane – blessing and tragedy – bring them together?

About the Author:

Regina Merrick began reading romance and thinking of book ideas as early as her teenage years when she attempted a happily-ever-after sequel to “Gone With the Wind.” That love of fiction parlayed into a career as both a school and public librarian, and more recently, as a full-time author. Married for nearly 35 years and active in their local church, Regina and her retired-teacher husband have two grown daughters who share her love of music, writing, and the arts. She resides in a 100-year-old house in Marion, KY with her husband and their dog, Cedric, whose late litter-mate, Oliver, was the model for Sarah’s Schnauzer-mix.

Welcome to Wednesday Writers. My guest today is June Foster, and after reading her post, I have to admit I’m a bit envious. A summer spent in an RV park in Wyoming sounds lovely. I’ve always wanted to see the west and live in a RV. June got a bonus—a story idea with built in research. What better gift could a writer have? Welcome, June!

Research on a Dude Ranch

By June Foster

Last summer, my husband and I worked at a wonderful RV park in Shell, Wyoming, at the base of the Big Horn Mountains.

lawn at the RV park

The owners of the park had a precious golden doodle named Fritz.

About that time, my editor gave a “callout” for stories in which the hero and heroine met because of a dog. Not more than a few miles from the RV park, an elegant dude ranch, the Hideout, offered a horse-riding experience for guests who could afford the high cost. Thus the perfect ingredients for a story.

I interviewed wranglers,toured the entire property, and talked to local ranchers, as well as snapping photos the surrounding area.

Thus A Home for Fritz was born.

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A Home for Fritz

by June Foster

All Brooke Cantrell wants is two weeks to live a Cinderella life at Sunlight Peaks Guest Ranch. When she falls in love with a handsome wrangler, will he discover the truth?

Garrett Bowman has finally found peace under Wyoming skies. Never again will he return to corporate life in Seattle. But will the guests recognize him from the incriminating newspaper and magazine articles eighteen months ago?

When Garrett’s dog, Fritz, is in grave danger, an intriguing guest helps him rescue his pup. As Fritz heals, he whines until he can lay his head in Brooke’s comfortable lap. Fritz has fallen in love, but so has Garrett.

If Garrett discovers Brook’s secret, will he walk away from her?

If Brooke learns Garrett’s true identify, will she turn from him like all the others?

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I hope you enjoy the real life pictures of what I saw as I did research for the project.

I loved June’s pictures, especially the one with the mountain in the background. If you’d like to read more about A Home for Fritz you can find the book here.

About the Author:

An award-winning author, June Foster is a retired teacher with a BA in education and MA in counseling. Her characters find themselves in tough situations but overcome through God’s power and the Word. She writes edgy topics wrapped in a good story. To date, she’s seen seventeen contemporary romances and several short stories published. Find June online at junefoster.com

Welcome to the Tuesday Wedding Tales blog series, where wedding-themed stories are the fare.

Today’s guest is Katie Clark and she’ll be talking about her book Securing the Handyman’s Heart. Welcome, Katie!

The Story Behind The Story:

Securing the Handyman’s Heart

One morning I woke up from a dream, and I couldn’t stop thinking about it. The dream was about a girl, and she had a boyfriend whom she had been with for years. Yet, they weren’t married. In my dream, she was so frustrated with him because he hadn’t ever proposed.

I kept thinking of this gal, and how this scenario happens all the time. I kept thinking of romance stories, and how much we all love them—yet, a lot of times in life things just don’t work that way. I started thinking how, in spite of our lives not following a set pattern, they’re no less special and romantic and fantastic.

My mind went to work from there, and I began putting together elements of Securing the Handyman’s Heart. I thought it would be fun to get to push the hero into finally making a decision (hee hee!). And I wanted to showcase that life is special regardless of the path it takes.

I like how Securing the Handyman’s Heart isn’t the typical “head over heels” romance (though there’s definitely lots of romance!), because sometimes in real life things just don’t work that way. We don’t always get our happy endings exactly the way we’d thought they would happen, you know?

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ABOUT THE STORY:

Local cupcake queen Kayla Dobbs is feeling the heat—just as her bakery is finally taking off, her retired parents start pressuring her to move to Florida. Determined to prove her success, she takes on extra work at the bakery and fibs a little about the depth of her love life. When her mother announces an upcoming visit to meet the lucky guy, Kayla makes a pact with her friends to get a proposal from George Marks, town handyman extraordinaire. The problem is, George seems totally indifferent.

George Marks has enough on his plate with running his business, taking care of an ailing but feisty grandmother, and the possibility of a new business venture on the horizon. But when bumping into Kayla becomes a strangely routine thing, he’s surprised to realize it has also become the highlight of his days. As business spirals out of control and Granny takes a turn for the worse, he’s sure he made one too many commitments.

With a dash of matchmaking granny and a pinch of secret cupcake recipe, Kayla and George find themselves in one messy kitchen. But will they find themselves in love?

EXCERPT:

Kayla Dobbs studied the handyman leaning into her commercial oven. “Can you fix it?” she asked. The stupid thing wouldn’t come on this morning when she’d arrived at 4:00 a.m.

George jiggled a few pieces back into place, grunted, and hauled all six-foot two of himself out of his crouched position. His white T-shirt was slightly too small—not that she was noticing—and his brown hair now hung slightly down his forehead. He brushed it aside before answering. “Heating element’s bad. I have one in the truck.”

“You just happen to have one on hand?” She eyed him, suspicious. She’d hoped to score a few hours with George out of this broken oven mess. An emergency fix was the only time she got to see him, and she did like seeing him.

He shrugged one shoulder. “I figured what it was when you called, so I stopped by the warehouse before I came.” He wiped his hands on a towel and tossed it into her sink.

Kayla sighed and leaned against the counter as he strode outside to his truck.

The broken oven was an inconvenience—she’d had to bake all of her goodies for the bakery this morning in a single oven, which had taken twice as long—but she’d been excited to see George. It’d been two months since they’d last gone out, though they’d gone on a handful of dates over the last few years. She liked his easy smile and bright green eyes, the warmth of his hand holding hers, and even his smell—sawdust and glue. He obviously didn’t return the sentiments, or he would have asked her out again.

George returned, his dark hair shimmering with sweat. “It’s a hundred degrees out there.”

“Hot summer,” Kayla said. She leaned her elbows on the counter, facing him as he worked. “So, what have you been up to?”

“Mostly work.” He leaned into the oven again.

Kayla waited for more, but it didn’t come. “Don’t you ever take a break?”

“Not lately.”

She bit her lip, racking her brain for something to say. It shouldn’t be this hard to talk to him. Seriously. They’d known each other for three years, ever since George had installed the very first ovens in The Cupcakery. Conversation should be easy by now.

“I have a big order tonight, so I’m glad you could get to this so fast.” And she was. Baking everything in one oven for tonight would have been a nightmare. The kitchen of The Cupcakery was large and airy. It was perfect, really, but working with one oven when you were making a few hundred cupcakes was no easy task.

He pulled his head out of the oven long enough to grin at her. “I had to postpone some jobs, but it was worth it.”

About the Author:

KATIE CLARK started reading fantastical stories in grade school and her love for books never died. Today she reads in all genres; her only requirement is an awesome story! She writes inspirational romance as well as young adult speculative fiction, including her YA supernatural novel, Shadowed Eden, as well as The Enslaved Series. You can connect with her at her website, on Facebook, or on Twitter.

Today’s guest on Wednesday Writers is Linda Shenton Matchett, author of the historical romance Love’s Harvest. Linda will be talking about the research required to write this book. I think you’ll find it interesting—I know I did. Welcome, Linda!

Love’s Harvest: Adventures in Research

I’m of an age that when I was in school research was conducted with encyclopedias and trips to the library to question the reference librarian and search among the shelves for sources. Now I use the internet where I can check my library’s “card catalog” online, send an email to anyone in the world with my questions, look at maps and photos, watch YouTube interviews (thanks to oral history projects, these a great resource for primary source material), access museum and university information, read archived newspapers, and chase any number of rabbits.

You heard me…chase rabbits. That’s the blessing and the curse of using the internet for doing research. As mentioned, the blessing is the plethora of information available. The curse is the ability to follow link after link after link…! Eventually, a writer needs to stop researching and put pen to paper (or fingers to the keyboard)!

My novella, Love’s Harvest is a retelling of the biblical book of Ruth set between 1923 and 1946. In order to “translate” the story to the new time period, quite a bit of research was necessary. In Ruth, there is a famine that sends the family to Moab, the loss of Naomi’s husband and sons, Ruth’s rights to glean the fields after she and Naomi return to Israel, marriage laws and customs, and several incidents that shed light on Ruth’s and Boaz’s character.

Let the adventure begin!

Because I wanted to set the majority of the book in England during WWII, I had to find a famine that occurred twenty or so years prior to that time. Figuring that I’d be looking for a needle in the proverbial haystack because “famines don’t happen anymore,” I was stunned to find numerous incidents during which large segments of a population faced crop failure, drought, and hunger. The event that fit with my story was the 1921-23 famine that nearly devastated the Volga River area of Russia.

Research about the region told me about Catherine the Great’s efforts to colonize Russia by inviting Europeans to immigrate and become Russian citizens but keep their language and culture. A large number of Germans took her up on the offer. That fact allowed me to make the Ruth character German which would give me the tension I needed when I sent her and the Naomi character home to England.

One link I followed helped me discover that many of these Volga Russian-Germans immigrated to Kansas, the Dakotas, and California during the 19th and early 20th century. During the famine years, these people set up the American Volga Relief Society to collect and send relief and supplies to the Volga region. I was able to weave this information in the story.

Further research allowed me to find wedding customs, the British Women’s Land Army, Lord Woolton and his Ministry of Food, and the craft of basket weaving. I was surprised that it took me about two months to conduct all my research. Are you?

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Love’s Harvest

By Linda Shenton Matchett

Noreen Hirsch loses everything including her husband and two sons. Then her adopted country goes to war with her homeland. Has God abandoned her?

Rosa Hirsch barely adjusts to being a bride before she is widowed. She gives up her citizenship to accompany her mother-in-law to her home country. Can Rosa find acceptance among strangers who hate her belligerent nation?

Basil Quincey is rich beyond his wildest dreams, but loneliness stalks him. Can he find a woman who loves him and not his money?

Three people. One God who can raise hope from the ashes of despair.

Book Excerpt:

Volga Region, Russia, 1923

Noreen yanked the zipper closed on her over-stuffed canvas satchel. Always resourceful, Edmund had attached straps to the moss-green bag so she could wear it on her back. She would also carry a suitcase in each hand. The journey promised to be arduous.

Sighing, she wiped a weary hand across her dry eyes. Even if she had any tears remaining, crying was useless. It would not make their situation less dire.

Muted voices and the occasional bump filtered through the ceiling from the boys’ bedroom above. Noreen shivered and hunched into her threadbare, ruby-red sweater. An impulse purchase made during her honeymoon, the garment held more memories than warmth. Edmund insisted it brought out the roses in her cheeks.

She tossed the bulging satchel to the floor and turned her attention to the yawning luggage on the bed. Two steel pots and a fry pan nestled in the bottom of one boxy, brown suitcase between faded blue towels that had been a belated wedding present from her mother and father.

Hopefully, Edmund would find somewhere they could live in his home country with enough food to actually cook. Here, along the Volga River in Russia, the crops had failed again, and the famine was entering its second year. The decision whether to eat or plant their seed wheat had caused many families to die of starvation.

Shuffling footsteps sounded behind her. She turned as Edmund enveloped her in his arms. Nestling against his too-thin chest, she breathed in his musky scent. He bent and kissed her forehead, his black beard scraping her skin.

“You work too hard.” He tucked a stray strand of her nutmeg-colored hair behind her ear.

She leaned into his touch. “Isn’t that why you married me?”

“No, Schatzi, it is most certainly not.” He grinned. “You stole my heart. I had to marry you, or I would die a broken man.”

“Don’t joke about that. Our friends are dying every day.” She frowned. “Who knew this famine would last so long? If it weren’t for the bit of help arriving from America’s Volga Relief Society, matters would be much worse.”

“They are sending more assistance than we are receiving. Jakob told me there is proof the government is confiscating some of the packages and keeping the money to construct new buildings and conduct repairs. As always, development of the country is valued above the lives of the people.”

“Shhh!” She pressed the work-worn fingers of her right hand against his lips. “You could get in trouble for saying that. Then where would we be?”

Edmund hugged her. “There is no one to hear us, but I understand your fear. Many unexplained disappearances make for extreme caution.” He released her and gestured toward the pile of clothes on their bed. “Enough depressing talk. What can I do to help?”

“Do you have our passports? With the government ratcheting up the price, we have no more savings to purchase new ones.”

About the Author:

Linda Shenton Matchett is an author, journalist, and history geek. A native of Baltimore, Maryland, she was born a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry and has lived in historic places most of her life. A member of ACFW, RWA, and Sisters In Crime, Linda is a volunteer docent at the Wright Museum of World War II, and a trustee for her local public library. Receive a free book Devotions from a Writer when you sign up for her newsletter.

Today’s guest on Wednesday Writers is Sara Foust, author of the Inspirational Romantic Suspense Callum’s Compass. She’s be taking about treasure hunts today and how they fit into her book. Welcome, Sara!

Some people have said the clues in Callum’s Compass seem way too challenging for everyday people to figure out. I even had one lady mention in an early critique that surely the first clue Kat gets would be too difficult for someone without code breaking experience to solve. I had to laugh a little, because that clue was one my husband, my brother, my two cousins, and I actually solved thirteen years ago on a treasure hunt facilitated by my uncle Jim. It was something of a tradition with Uncle Jim. And though I only was blessed to participate in a few of his infamous hunts, he had left my cousins ones all throughout their childhood.

This particular trip, we were staying at a house in Outer Banks, North Carolina, and he surprised us with our first clue early in the week, if I remember correctly. We didn’t know what the “treasure” was but, based on the last time, suspected it might be chocolate-covered doughnuts or another type of treat. All of his clues were difficult, but the one that stumped us the longest was the one using the Bible verse from Revelation that you will see in Callum’s Compass. I’m not going to tell you what the final solve was, I’ll let you read that for yourselves in my book, but I will tell you it took nearly all of a day to figure it out. And I can still remember him laughing each time we brought a new idea to him. “You’re thinking about this wrong, guys,” he would say. We even used a “phone a friend” to call his son in Nashville who was unable to make the trip. My cousin, Chelsea, is the one who finally figured it out. I figure it was all those years of practice he’d given her growing up at solving his riddles that made her so good.

At the end of the hunt, we used a metal detector to locate gold coins buried in the sand. You talk about a real treasure hunt! It was so incredibly fun. I can still picture the moment we found the treasure and looked back at the balcony porch to see the “real grownups” (I was 22 and married, mind you) grinning down at us.

Uncle Jim passed away from an aggressive brain cancer two years ago. There’s not a day that goes by we don’t think of him and miss him so much. I’ll never forget his laugh, his sense of adventure, and his love. None of us will. We are going to the beach as a family again this summer, thanks to Jim’s son’s generosity (our phone a friend). And he is working on the treasure hunt clues now. He’s already promised they will be in “Uncle Jim fashion,” which means our kids may never find the treasure without the “real grownups’ ” help, of which I am part now. But above all else, the memories we make will be the treasure we remember for the rest of our lives.

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Callum’s Compass

by Sara Foust

KAT WILLIAMS’S brother died in a gruesome accident in the mountains of East Tennessee. She blames herself.

RYAN JENKINS’S fiancée was murdered. He couldn’t protect her.

With the death of her brother, Kat believes she is unworthy of love from anyone—even God. When a good friend elicits a promise that she will stop living in the past and then leaves her clues to a real-life treasure hunt, Kat embarks on an adventure chock-full of danger. To find the treasure, Kat will have to survive wild animals—and even wilder men. Can she rely on Ryan, the handsome wildlife officer assigned to protect her . . . without falling in love?

Ryan swore off love when his fiancée was murdered, but feelings long-buried rise to the surface around Kat. He volunteers to help with her treasure hunt, vowing to keep her safe. Together they venture deep into caves and tunnels . . . and even deeper into the depths of their unplumbed hearts.

Excerpt:

The box lay on the ground, its contents strewn beneath her truck. She picked up a golden pocket watch, the surface worn smooth on both sides, and another piece of paper with a hand-drawn picture.

What in the world? She read the page in her hand.

“Revelation 6:8—

And I looked,

And behold a pale horse:

And his name that sat on him was Death,

And Hell followed with him.

And power was given unto them

Over the fourth part of the earth,

To kill with sword,

And with hunger,

And with death,

And with the beasts of the earth.”

She turned the note over to discover a series of tiny numbers written on the reverse side.

5:12; 2:10; 4:22; 10:11; 1:5; 6:3; 7:14; 2:18; 4:4; 6:1; 7:5; 9:9

More Bible verses?

Kat tucked the scripture verse and drawing back into the box and slid it safely onto the seat. The pocket watch clanked against the compass as she dropped it into her pocket.

About the Author:

Sara is a multi-published, award-winning author who writes Inspirational Romantic Suspense from a mini-farm in East Tennessee, where she lives with her husband and their five homeschooled children. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. Callum’s Compass won second place in Deep River Books’ 2017 Writer’s Contest. Sara also has a story, “Leap of Faith,” in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Step Outside Your Comfort Zone, and her second novel in the Love, Hope, and Faith Series, Camp Hope, will be released in July 2018. Gain access to a FREE digital scrapbook detailing some real-life places from Callum’s Compass by signing up for her newsletter at http://www.saralfoust.com/.

Today Wednesday Writers Welcomes Patrice Locke to the blog. Patrice will be sharing the unusual eating habits of her heroine from her romantic comedy Exit Signs. She is also sharing an excerpt from the book for your reading pleasure. Welcome, Patrice!

Main Character’s Snacks, Readers Eat it Up

As I was writing my newest book “Fresh Start,” due out from Soul Mate Publishing this summer, I thought a lot about what makes a main character stand out.

I knew immediately what readers liked best about the main character in my first book, “Exit Signs.” It was the bizarre snacks narrator Tracy Price concocts—rattlesnake meat and cotton candy, string cheese wrapped around craisins. It’s usually the first thing readers mention to me, and it’s listed in almost all the reader reviews. One even asked, facetiously, I hope, for a recipe book. Tracy is a snack virtuoso only in her own mind.

And the funny thing is, the snack concoctions almost didn’t make it into the story. My editor at Soul Mate suggested adding more background information about Tracy, including her favorite foods. I immediately knew that Tracy would not have a handful of grapes or a saltine with peanut butter on it. She wouldn’t throw a banana in a blender with almond milk, and she would never, ever eat carrot sticks, unless they were slathered in caramel.

Tracy is a unique character, and her snacks would have to be too.

Then, as if a cartoon dialogue box had flown overhead, I heard Tracy explaining her genius snack combinations. A wheat thin and a square of dark chocolate; a salted, dry green bean and a pineapple life saver; meatballs in chocolate sauce. She carried them all, at one time or another, in a plastic snack bag tucked into the pocket of her blue jeans. She let me know it was a tradition she carried on from her Romanian grandmother.

Over the course of writing in Tracy’s voice I got to know her very well. But she had a tendency to be a private person, so it took me a while to crack her shell – in a completely non-egg-like way.

That one little detail about Tracy turned out to be a key element to her story, reinforcing her perspective and heritage in a way I never expected.

The snacks turned out to be a highlight of the final scene in the book, a sign that the happily ever after was real.

By the way, there actually is an online recipe for meatballs in chocolate sauce. I guess it’s quite a delicacy in some places. I hope I never visit those places.

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EXIT SIGNS

by Patrice Locke

Tracy Price is a film researcher. She doesn’t do crushes—at least not until she’s 32 and meets the one man she knows she will never marry. He’s Jesse Elliot, a musician running from fame.

Tracy’s obsession with a decades-old missing person case consumes her. And though Jesse resents her quest, it may lead her to finally understand him. When Jesse and Tracy both feel betrayed, an unexpected blessing may be their only chance for happiness.

Excerpt

The first thing he did was call attention to his blue-black hair by reaching up with his right hand to rake some strands away from his forehead. The hair fell right back onto the shoreline of his face just like a wave on a beach. I thought of the cliché movie scene where the action cuts to an agitated ocean to symbolize sex. I cleared my throat, ordered myself to get a grip.

Instead of listening to myself, I surprised both of us by asking him my name: “Tracy Price?”

I didn’t realize until later that he hadn’t introduced himself to me. He had a strong aura of self-assurance, not arrogance exactly, but calm confidence. We had a very ordinary conversation, memorable to me only because of my rising anxiety and the silent dialogue that began running in my head.

He was all-business. I was all over the place. He said nothing at all intriguing; he didn’t need to at the first meeting. This was how a romance novel would begin, and I would just go ahead and provide all the dialogue for both of us. He could be two-dimensional. I could write the script for us. I thought I knew the genre, but I had it wrong from the start. This was no romance. This was science fiction. He was from another planet. He had to be.

He sat down in a chair adjacent to mine and waited for me to speak, so I threw caution to the wind and asked: “How do you like Albuquerque?” Very original, Tracy! What I really wondered was, How does it feel to look like you do?

“I like it,” he said, answering both my questions. “I really like it so far.”

I nodded, feeling a surge of power. “I bet. And how long are you staying?” I wondered: Would it be too forward of me to sit on your lap?

“Six weeks… I really can’t say yet. This was kind of an unexpected trip.” Bingo! Both questions addressed.

I smiled; this was working! Let me know when you decide about the lap thing. I took a deep breath, covering my mouth for a brief fake cough to clear my head.

About the Author:

Patrice Locke studied journalism at Michigan State University. Then an unexpected job offer drew her westward. She worked for New Mexico and Arizona newspapers, covering everything from government meetings and drug busts to Navajo Code Talkers and haunted houses.

She’s a Jane Austen fanatic.

“Exit Signs” was her first published book. The second, “Fresh Start,” is due to be published in the summer of 2018. It’s about a woman who’s been dumped 1600 miles from her home with nothing except a guilty conscience and a to-do list she’s sure will change her life. Book number three, which may be called “Honey, I’m Home” has the same narrator as “Exit Signs.”

Today’s Wednesday Writers’ guest is Emma Lane. Emma has been a guest before and I’m delighted to welcome her back as she talks about her Regency Romance Lady Jane’s Tryst. Welcome, Emma!

Thanks, Catherine.

I have long suspected writers love research. Our curiosity level seems improbably high as we happily delve deeper and deeper into a chosen subject. The most serious problem is pulling out of the descent to get on with the business of finishing the book. I confess I wanted to learn more about Brighton, UK, a city on the coast made famous by King George IV when he was only a royal nicknamed ‘Prinny.’

Even today Brighton is a vacation site where the amazing castle created by the soon-to-be-king is a museum. I dropped a boarding school for young ladies just to the right in the city, where Poor Lady Jane resided without a single day’s absence for five long years. Her peculiar father occasionally visited, but never invited her home, not once. It’s not to be wondered that she made a habit of wandering around in the evening hours when everyone in the school house was asleep. She kept boredom at bay creating her own amusement, but never expected the meet with a mysterious English pirate; no he was a spy, since he wore his coal-black hair long with a kerchief tied around. She could be forgiven for mistaking him as a dangerous man. Only after he kissed her was she perturbed by his presence, such was her longing for adventure. Lady Jane and her pirate/spy began an association with long and enduring consequences. Author Emma Lane enjoyed every minute as she followed her heroine throughout the city of Brighton. Join her as Lady Jane makes her way daily gaining independence, facing life on her own in the English Regency World during the early 1800’s.

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Lady Jane’s Tryst

By Emma Lane

Ripe for adventure, Lady Jane welcomes the charming pirate who offers her the excitement she craves.

Five years at Miss Agatha’s Finishing School for Young Ladies in Brighton, without a single day away, leaves Lady Jane longing for any respite to liven her deadened senses. An accidental meeting with a handsome stranger initiates a journey of danger, excitement, affection and eventually love, even as Lady Jane wonders if a person could be considered an orphan while still possessing a parent.

Excerpt:

“Shhhh, Marianne. We are in danger of being discovered if you keep jumping about like that and talking. Do contain yourself!” She whirled around to grip her friend by the arm.

“I am frightened, Jane. Let’s go back. What will they do to us if we are discovered?” Marianne’s voice was strained and high pitched. She clenched Jane’s shawl and almost pulled it off her shoulders.

“Behead us, most likely.” She turned and stared at her friend directly. “I can see you are not best suited for this adventure. Do you wish to go back?” she added gently.

“Noo, yes! I apologize for my weakness. May we return to school now?” Tears ran down the chubby cheeks of the sixteen year old as she stood, hands clasped, in the semi-darkness of the doorway.

“Do you know the way back? I’d like to stay a bit longer. Turn toward that shop and you’ll find the Old Ship hotel. Take the walkway to the mews and you’ll come out right at the fence we climbed over. Can you go by yourself?” Marianne nodded and turned away almost skipping in her haste to leave.

Jane suppressed a pang of guilt at deserting her cowardly friend, but her desire to observe one of the famous suppers at the Prince Regent’s pavilion in Brighton was stronger. She moved cautiously forward, clutching her borrowed shawl tightly around her coarse muslin gown. The maid at Miss Agatha Nighting’s Finishing School for Young Ladies was first aghast and then amused when Jane talked her into the loan.

Her idea was a good one. She’d simply present at the back door as a newly hired kitchen maid. Once granted entry, she could find her way into the dining room and observe to her heart’s content. Those dinners were famous and lasted into the wee hours of the morning. To a bored school girl almost never allowed outside the walls enclosing the school building, the adventure was irresistible.

With her head on the descriptions she’d heard about the Regent’s famous Brighton pavilion, she failed to notice a movement to her left, until a hand was placed firmly over her mouth and a strong arm encircled her waist. A rough bearded face scraped her own smooth cheek and a deep voice whispered directly into her startled ear.

“Quiet now,” he commanded and shook her a bit for emphasis. “I won’t hurt you, but you must keep quiet. No, don’t try to get away. I need you to be still!” He walked backward holding and almost dragging her until they were hidden behind a pillar. The torch burning nearby flickered elongated shadows exposing three men moving clandestinely across their line of vision. Her capturer pulled her even closer, tightening his grip on her middle section until she thought her ribs would break.

As if she had dreamed up the threat, the three men melted away from her sight into the surrounding gloom. She wriggled and tried to pull his hand away from her mouth.

“Do you promise not to scream?” he asked still whispering. “I think I mistook you for a house maid in that outfit. I am fairly certain the fragrance I detect is from a particular brand of French soap. Did your mistress share with you? No, I think not. You are in disguise, are you not?” Jane nodded her head up and down vigorously and heard him chuckle into her hair. His hand slid slowly away from her mouth, but caressed her cheek as it pulled away. He rested it on the back of her neck with his arm still firmly around her waist.

“A delectable armful, young Miss Mysterious. What are you doing out here in the dark all alone? Looking for trouble, no doubt.”

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Want to read more? Check out the book at Amazon. Warning for readers of sweet romance: this book may contain sensuous scenes.

About the Author

Emma Lane shares her love for writing with her love for beautiful flowers. Ms. Lane lives in Western NY near beautiful Niagara Falls. You can connect with her at: